Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said in Skopje Wednesday that Macedonia had a European perspective, yet for that to happen the name issue, which had taken far too long, had to be resolved first.

The opposition has to return to parliament, he said, because that is the place for political dialogue, while the carrying out of all necessary reforms has to continue.

"The name dispute is taking too long and the failure to settle it is harmful to both Europe and the two countries involved. To me it is quite unclear why no progress in regard to the name dispute has been made during this long period of time. The two countries have much more important issues to focus on, primarily issues relating to their economies and reforms.

"Austria is ready to put pressure in order to make the process more dynamic," Minister Kurz said at the press conference he held together with his host, Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki.